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Mixologist Of The Month - Mirko Falconi
Mirko's Bio.Name: Mirko Falconi
Date of Birth:14th December 1981.
Birth place: Peschiera del Garda (vr) Italy.
Height: 1.70m
Eye colour: Brown.
Nationality: Italian.
I started my career in 2001, but I realised that being an electrician wasn't the career for me!
I was working in the M27 bar in Verona, my first bar job, when I passed the exam of a professional bartender with A.I.B.E.S. (Associazione Italiana Barmen e Sostenitori).
I moved to beautiful Venice and worked firstly at the Hotel Des Bains at Lido, and soon after at the Gritti Palace Hotel where I was very happy to be part of their team. Those worldly hotels gave me the opportunity to learn the most.
Then, it was the time to have an experience abroad...
In 2004 I was in St. Moritz at the Badrutt's Palace Hotel (a beautiful place), and was the chance for me to learn more about service and guest relationships.
Not happy with my language skills I came to the UK and after a couple of years experience in the countryside, I moved to London to the Lanesborough Hotel and its prestigious Library Bar.
Awards, accolades, trophies.
1st place Regional Calvados competition south valley UKBG 2007
1st place Regional Competition (Italy) AIBES 2007
4th place Grand Marnier Competition UKBG 2007
Finalist National Cocktails Competition AIBES 2007
3rd place Cabana Competition Class Magazine 2008
1st place Nonino Competition UKBG 2008
2nd place Galvin Cup Competition UKBG 2008
Finalist National Cocktails Competition UKBG 2008
1st place Regional Competition (Italy) AIBES 2008
1st place Elite International Bartender Competition JWC 2008
Finalist National Cocktails Competition AIBES 2008
1st place Regional Competition (Italy) AIBES 2009
4th place Galvin Cup Competition UKBG 2009
Finalist Imbibe Bartender of the Years 2009
Finalist National Cocktails Competition AIBES 2009
1st place Regional Calvados competition south valley UKBG 2007
1st place Regional Competition (Italy) AIBES 2007
4th place Grand Marnier Competition UKBG 2007
Finalist National Cocktails Competition AIBES 2007
3rd place Cabana Competition Class Magazine 2008
1st place Nonino Competition UKBG 2008
2nd place Galvin Cup Competition UKBG 2008
Finalist National Cocktails Competition UKBG 2008
1st place Regional Competition (Italy) AIBES 2008
1st place Elite International Bartender Competition JWC 2008
Finalist National Cocktails Competition AIBES 2008
1st place Regional Competition (Italy) AIBES 2009
4th place Galvin Cup Competition UKBG 2009
Finalist Imbibe Bartender of the Years 2009
Finalist National Cocktails Competition AIBES 2009
Claim to Fame
I was a participant in the 'John Whyte Course' held recently in 2008 in Singapore.
I was awarded the Eagle Award, which is the personal award, created and usually presented by Alex Beaumont, the International Bartenders Association's Vice President for the Southern Hemisphere.
I was a participant in the 'John Whyte Course' held recently in 2008 in Singapore.
I was awarded the Eagle Award, which is the personal award, created and usually presented by Alex Beaumont, the International Bartenders Association's Vice President for the Southern Hemisphere.
Q&A
What do you as a mixologist think about beer? Any brews of note for you?
-I think beer is something refreshing ,you can drink it at any time of the day. I personal prefer Belgium beer.
If you could offer a couple of short pieces of advice to the average bartender, what would they be?
-The good bartender need to be an actor, a relaxed actor, prepare to listen all his guest and make them happy all the time
Surely you have some pet peeves about bartenders -- care to share?
- People thinking to be a superstar. Do they really need to do that?
As a mixologist/consultant, you work directly with many restaurants on their drink menus -- describe the parts of this process.
-Once you know the kind of guest the game is done.
How did you get started?
You'll never guess how I became a bartender. I've never been a perfect student, I tried different sport but I never felt love or passion. One night when I was drinking my usually coffee at the bar M27 in Verona a friend of mine which was working there, because was very busy, put a tray on my hand! From that moment everything change in my life. I felt that was my world, talking, taking care of people and creating drinks, became a professional bartender was my goal!
Did you take any courses?
I follow the A.I.B.E.S. (International Association of Bartender and Sponsor)
And A.I.S. (Association Italian Sommeliers)
What are some of your favourite tools?
Mixing glass.
What is your favorite mixology resource?
The best is travelling a lot to have an idea regarding culture and what's going on around the bars, and also I like to read a lot of book regarding our business, and take part on tasting.
What does success mean for you?
Once I'm happy with my job and have an happy family the success is done.
What are some current trends you've seen in the cocktail market?
Personally I like that all classic and old drink became more popular, like in the past or more
What goes into creating a cocktail? And what inspired you in the first place?
My inspiration came from the past, a good balance, flavor and a lot of passion.
What is your favorite drink to make?
Daiquiri..easy to make and easy to do a mistake.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I hope in the same place where I am now but maybe with higher position.
Your hangover cure?
Bed, bed, bed with some paracetamol.
Your biggest career influencer?
Mr Solindo Soncin the Bar Manager at the Danieli Hotel in Venice... absolutely.
First drink you ever tried?
Aperol spritz
We've all had a bad experience with at least one drink. What drink do you most avoid?
I don't really like drink a cocktails not cold enough, and I avoid shot in generally.
£10m comes to you. What do you do next?
I would open a classic and old museum bar with everything from the past.
Bar or cellar at home?
Bar with the cellar.
Favourite beer?
Hoegarden.
Wine?
Amarone.
Spirit?
Whisky.
Cocktail?
Vodka Martini with olive (mixing glass).
Favourite Bar?
Coffe Bar K (Singapore).
Restaurant?
I really like Italian cuisine, but I love MAZE restaurant (London).
World location?
Singapore, all absolutely great.
Fav film?
James Bond, from Russia with love.
Book?
Cosmopolitan (Toby Cecchini).
Album?
Queen Greatest Hits.
Singer/band?
Frank Sinatra.
What do you as a mixologist think about beer? Any brews of note for you?
-I think beer is something refreshing ,you can drink it at any time of the day. I personal prefer Belgium beer.
If you could offer a couple of short pieces of advice to the average bartender, what would they be?
-The good bartender need to be an actor, a relaxed actor, prepare to listen all his guest and make them happy all the time
Surely you have some pet peeves about bartenders -- care to share?
- People thinking to be a superstar. Do they really need to do that?
As a mixologist/consultant, you work directly with many restaurants on their drink menus -- describe the parts of this process.
-Once you know the kind of guest the game is done.
How did you get started?
You'll never guess how I became a bartender. I've never been a perfect student, I tried different sport but I never felt love or passion. One night when I was drinking my usually coffee at the bar M27 in Verona a friend of mine which was working there, because was very busy, put a tray on my hand! From that moment everything change in my life. I felt that was my world, talking, taking care of people and creating drinks, became a professional bartender was my goal!
Did you take any courses?
I follow the A.I.B.E.S. (International Association of Bartender and Sponsor)
And A.I.S. (Association Italian Sommeliers)
What are some of your favourite tools?
Mixing glass.
What is your favorite mixology resource?
The best is travelling a lot to have an idea regarding culture and what's going on around the bars, and also I like to read a lot of book regarding our business, and take part on tasting.
What does success mean for you?
Once I'm happy with my job and have an happy family the success is done.
What are some current trends you've seen in the cocktail market?
Personally I like that all classic and old drink became more popular, like in the past or more
What goes into creating a cocktail? And what inspired you in the first place?
My inspiration came from the past, a good balance, flavor and a lot of passion.
What is your favorite drink to make?
Daiquiri..easy to make and easy to do a mistake.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I hope in the same place where I am now but maybe with higher position.
Your hangover cure?
Bed, bed, bed with some paracetamol.
Your biggest career influencer?
Mr Solindo Soncin the Bar Manager at the Danieli Hotel in Venice... absolutely.
First drink you ever tried?
Aperol spritz
We've all had a bad experience with at least one drink. What drink do you most avoid?
I don't really like drink a cocktails not cold enough, and I avoid shot in generally.
£10m comes to you. What do you do next?
I would open a classic and old museum bar with everything from the past.
Bar or cellar at home?
Bar with the cellar.
Favourite beer?
Hoegarden.
Wine?
Amarone.
Spirit?
Whisky.
Cocktail?
Vodka Martini with olive (mixing glass).
Favourite Bar?
Coffe Bar K (Singapore).
Restaurant?
I really like Italian cuisine, but I love MAZE restaurant (London).
World location?
Singapore, all absolutely great.
Fav film?
James Bond, from Russia with love.
Book?
Cosmopolitan (Toby Cecchini).
Album?
Queen Greatest Hits.
Singer/band?
Frank Sinatra.
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